Nissan's Ghosn Battles Cross-Currents

By

Chester Dawson and

Joseph B. White

Updated Sept. 14, 2012 10:34 p.m. ET

TOKYO—Carlos Ghosn, chief executive of Nissan Motor Co. and Renault SA, predicted a long-term slump in European sales and said Japan's lack of response to the strong yen would lead to more auto production leaving the country.

In an interview with The Wall Street Journal on Friday, he expressed confidence that global auto demand would expand outside of Europe this year and next. But he indicated policy makers and governments must...